Day #8 of the 30 Day Film Challenge

[shadowkat]

Day # 8 of the 30 Day Film Challenge.

A Film that you liked the soundtrack more.

Well, that can probably fit about 98% of the movies released in the late 1980s and early 90s? Great soundtrack, bad movie. In fact many of them felt like well-orchestrated music videos.

Decisions, decisions.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I love the soundtrack of this movie - but I don't really like the movie. And have not been able to re-watch it at all. But I own the soundtrack and have listened to it endlessly over the years. The movie...hmmm...has issues.

Comments

[cactuswatcher]

There are at least a couple of strong candidates from when I was little. This is the older, "The Third Man Theme" which was a very popular piece of music for a good decade after the movie appeared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oEsWi88Qv0&t

The film is highly regarded in movie-making circles in Britain. But like Citizen Kane which is highly regarded in American film schools, a lot of ordinary folks find the The Third Man very dull.

[shadowkat]

Not just highly regarded in Britain - it's required viewing for American film students. I saw it in undergrad. But I only vaguely remember it, and I've never felt the need to rewatch it.

The tune is familiar though and I've heard it here and there in other things.

Orson Wells had a huge ego and liked to artistic films that showed off his visual style. Which was great and all that...but his plots, story and characters kind of meander. I've seen five Orson Wells films, I don't remember any of them, and got bored in all of them. LOL! I think the most interesting was the Western with I think Charlton Heston playing a bad guy.

[cactuswatcher]

My brother took a course on film in college, and that's probably where he saw The Third Man. He was the one I first talked to about it, probably mixed in with a discussion of the music, long before I ever saw it. He was not impressed. I finally saw it many many years later, and was given no reason to question his judgement. ;o)

[shadowkat]

It depends on how you view it - I guess. If you are into cinematography, camera angles, and specific shots - it's rather good. They do some cool stuff with shadows. Also the music is good.

But memorable? No. Like I said I can't remember it enough - to tell you if I liked it or not. And I saw it twice.

[cactuswatcher]

No, I don't have any problem with people liking the movie. It does have its good points. But it was voted best British movie of the 20th century, by 1000 people in the British film industry. I think anyone who voted for it as best British movie of the century over all others including Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, Brazil and Olivier's Hamlet has more explaining to do than I do. ;o)

[cjlasky7]

Superfly (1972), dir. by Gordon Parks Jr.

Superfly is a "B" (as in blaxploitation) movie with an "A" soundtrack. The movie is by no means bad, but without Curtis Mayfield's music, it wouldn't have nearly the reputation it has today.

The best scene in the movie--the montage of Superfly and his dealers selling cocaine to his rich white clientele--is kicked into classic status with Mayfield's "Pusherman" playing behind it.

The title track and "Freddie's Dead" are immortal R&B hits. I'll probably listen to them a hundred times before I watch the movie again.

https://youtu.be/4SqdLsCsjYw

[shadowkat]

I've never seen the movie, but I've heard the soundtrack.

I considered picking Purple Rain or Flashdance - but picking a musical or what is basically a movie length music video is kind of cheating. Also Xanadu - which is available on HBO of all places at the moment. I tried to watch it yesterday and gave up.

[cjlasky7]

Xanadu might be the all-time champ of "great soundtrack, bad movie." There were, what?, four hit singles off that soundtrack, but it didn't improve anyone's opinion of the movie.

When you mention that it was Gene Kelly's last movie, people shake their heads as if to say, "should have gone out on something better."

ETA: Xanadu had FIVE hit singles.

[shadowkat]

Yep. Too easy.

Michael Beck and Olivia Newton John were bad choices, and Gene's dancing days were done.

But it had a great soundtrack. That was the 1980s and 90s for you. St. Elmo's Fire - I also thought of - great soundtrack, bad movie. Footloose? Great soundtrack and good dance scenes...movie, eh?

Purple Rain actually was a pretty good movie for being mostly an autobiographical music video. As was Flashdance.

[atpo_onm]

Have to mostly pass on this one-- when I think of a great movie soundtrack, it's pretty much associated with at least a decent, if not great movie.

Best I can come up with is the soundtracks to the Star Wars movies right after the original three. They always seemed competent, the films... very mixed bag.

[petzipellepingo]

The Cider House Rules which is a film I don't hate but I find it overlong and dull. However, as a resident of MI I should point out that our State uses the main theme for our "Pure Michigan" ads.

[shadowkat]

Agree on Cider House Rules...it was kind of dull and overlong.